So, if you came to this page, then you probably want to know how to make soap. In this article, I will describe in detail the entire process of making soap.
Ordinary soap is the result of a chemical reaction of fats (oils) and alkali. That's all, actually.
Think: with just a small amount of water and flour, you can make plain, primitive bread. Such that it will be impossible to eat, but still bread. But when your pastries are made using high quality and fresh ingredients, they are delicious. The same principle can be applied to soap. The difference between hard, bold, alkaline, etc. Soap and handmade soap make up the ingredients from which you make it.
Carefully choosing high-quality components and putting your soul into the work - you get an excellent result. And no store product will not be able to compete with it.
Usually, in order to make soap at home, use three main methods:
- The first method is based on kindling the finished blocks and adding your own perfume to the mixture.
- The second most common method is to create soap from scratch using oils and alkali.
- The third way is grinding the finished pieces of soap and mixing them with water or milk.
Each method, of course, has its pros and cons. I will tell you how to make soap using the two most popular methods.
How to make soap: Method number 1
Making soap with the kindling of finished blocks is like cooking semi-finished products. You cannot change its components. However, on the other hand, this method is considered the simplest and most common.
You will need ready-made unpainted, odorless soap blocks for the base. Melt the soap base (soap block) in a double boiler or microwave. When it has completely melted, add perfume, dye or any other additive. Put it in shape, and voila, you're done. Soap becomes usable immediately after it hardens.
To start making soap using this method, you just need to:
- Worktop or other workspace.
- Oven or double boiler.
- Heat resistant microwave bowls.
- A few spoons.
- Perfume, dye and the desired additives (in order to make a soap scrub with your own hands, you can add crushed grape seeds, for example).
- The form in which the soap should solidify.
That's all. Usually, even the first time you get a great soap.
The advantages of this method:
- The technology is simple and does not require special material investments.
- You do not come in contact with a dangerous mixture of alkali.
- Quick result.
Cons of this method:
- You do not choose the ingredients.
- Unfortunately, many manufacturers add chemicals to the soap to make it foam well. These substances will prevent you from melting the soap.
- The quality of your creation depends only on the quality of the base soap.
How to make soap: Method number 2
If the first method is akin to using semi-finished products, then the second allows you to make soap from scratch. You control the whole process and can do everything the way you want. However, this method is much more complicated than the first.
To start, heat the oil in a pot to about 40 degrees. Gradually add alkali and water to it. Gently stir the contents until it thickens. After the mixture has more or less thickened, add your perfume, dye or other additives to it. Pour the contents of the pot into a mold. It will take about a day for the mixture to harden, but that’s not all. For about a month, your soap should stand in a dark corner until ready. Here is such a protracted process.
To start making soap using this method, you need to:
- Flat worktop with access to water.
- Some animal fats and vegetable oils.
- Alkali.
- Pot.
- Perfume or essential oil.
- Natural or synthetic dye.
- Form for soap.
- Cool, dry place.
Pros of this method:
- Soap is really made by you from scratch.
- You yourself can choose all the components of your masterpiece.
Cons of this method:
- First you will need to learn how to work safely with alkali.
- This process takes much longer than the first.
I hope that my instructions have helped you, and you understand how to make soap at home.